A True ACCOUNT OF THE CAPTIVITY OF Thomas Phelps, AT MACHANESS IN BARBARY, AND Of his strange Escape in Company of Edmund Baxter and others, as also of the Burning Two of the greatest Pirat-Ships belonging to that Kingdom, in the River of Mamora; upon the Thirteenth day of June 1685.  
By THOMAS PHELPS.  Hoec olim meminisse juvabit. 

Licenced,  
August the 21st. R. L' s.   
LONDON, Printed by H. Hills, Jun. for Joseph Hindmarsh, at the Golden-Ball over against the Royal-Exchange in Cornhill. 1685.   

To the Honourable SAMUEL PEPYS, Esq  
SIR,  
HAving by your generous Favour had the Honour of being introduced into His Majesty's presence, where I delivered the substance of this following Narrative, and being pressed by the importunity of Friends to Publish it to the World, to which mine own inclinations were not averse, as which might tend to the information of my fellow Seamen; as well as satisfying the curiosity of my Countrymen, who delight in Novel and strange Stories; I thought I should be very far wanting to myself, if I should not implore the Patronage of your ever Honoured Name, for none ever will dare to dispute the truth of any matter of Fact here delivered, when they shall understand that it has stood the test of your sagacity. Sir, Your Eminent and Steady Loyalty, whereby you asserted His Majesty's just Rights, and the true Privileges of your Country in the worst of times, gives me confidence to expect, that you will vouchsafe this condescension to a poor, yet honest Seaman, who have devoted my Life to the Service of His Sacred Majesty and my Country; who have been a Slave, but now have attained my freedom, which I prise so much the more, in that I can with Heart and Hand subscribe myself,  
Honourable Sir, Your most Obliged and Humble Servant. Tho. Phelps,   

THE PREFACE TO THE READER.  
SInce my Escape from Captivity, and worse than Egyptian Bondage, I have methinks, enjoyed a happiness with which my former life was never acquainted; now that after a Storm and terrible Tempest, I have by Miracle put into a safe and quiet Harbour, after a most miserable Slavery, to the most unreasonable and Barbarous of Men; now that I enjoy the immunities and freedom of my Native Country, and the Privileges of a Subject of England, altho' my circumstances otherwise are but indifferent, yet I find I am affected with extraordinary emotions and singular transports of joy; now I know what Liberty is, and can put a value and make a just estimate of that happiness, which before I never well understood, which observation agrees very well with a lesson in Morals I remember I have been taught, viz. that all Happiness here below is only Relative, and has a value only put upon it by Comparison, Riches and Abundance have their Measures of good and convenience, from the consideration of the Miseries and Inconveniencies that attend Poverty and Want; Health can be but slightly esteemed by him, who never was acquáinted with Pain or Sickness, and Liberty and Freedom are the happiness only valuable by a Reflection on Captivity and Slavery, they who are unacquainted with, and have no notice of the Miseries of the latter, will never put a due Value and consideration upon the former; of which general Rule, the most part of my Countrymen, I am sorry to say, are too particular an instance, who of all the Nations of the Earth are possessors of the greatest Liberty, but least sensible of the happiness; Here the Government secures every Man in the possession and enjoyment of what Gods blessing and his own industry has allowed; Here even the Poor and Needy, the Impotent, and those whom the Hand of God has touched, have a comfortable subsistence, and plentiful provision against all extremities; Here the industrious Mechanic or Country-Farmer, can sit down at his Table better provided than many Barons of Germany, Marquesses in France, and Knights in Spain; in a word Slavery is so strange a condition to England, that to touch its soil, is ipso facto Manumission, and the generality of the People have but little heard, and less understood the miserable State which the most part of the World is now subject to, so that the Plenty and great Liberty of the English Subjects is no great happiness to them, because they never weigh their Condition with what is the Lot of other Nations: Upon this consideration I have adventured to Publish this account of the Miseries I underwent, with many others, during our Captivity in Barbary, and of my Escape thence. My design is, Christian Reader, to work in thee by this true, tho' plain Narrative, some pity towards the sharp sufferings of thy poor Brethren at the hands of Infidels; to instruct thee to prise the blessings of that pleasant place, where thy Let is fallen, and where having only the benefit of Air, thou hast a goodly Heritage; and lastly with me, to Magnify the Name of God, who in his word, commands us to tell what things he hath done for us, and to show forth his works with gladness.   

A True Account of my being taken, and Sufferings during my Captivity.  
UPon the 27th. day of August 1684. I Thomas Phelps set fail from the Downs in a Vessel called the Success of London, about forty Tuns, laden with Salt, bound for a place in Ireland called the Ventrey, where we arrived the 10th. day of September: I stayed there some while, and killed Beaf, designing for the Maderas and Mount Surrat; accordingly on the 20th. of September, I set sail for the Maderas, but my design was crossed, and my Voyage stopped as followeth: Upon the 5th. of October (being then a Hundred Leagues, West off the Rock of Lisbon) we saw a sail to windward of us, which immediately we found to give us chase; we made what sail we could from him, and night coming on, we had, for about Two hours, lost sight of him, but at the rising of the Moon, he got sight of us, and quickly came up with us, hailing us whence our Ship, we answered from London, demanding the like of him, who made answer from Algeir, and withal commanded us to hoist out our Boat, which we refused to do, but we braced our head-sailes for him, immediately he sent his Boat towards us, when it was got almost by our side, we gave them Three shouts, which so surprised them, that they thought it convenient to retire aboard their own Ship; We were not a little cheered at their departure and made from them with all the sail we could make, for we had not one great Gun, and as for Powder, I believe one single pound was the outmost of our store: In the mean time he was hoisting in of his Boat, I had got above two miles from him, which made me think I was clear of him, and withal that the Ship must be an Algerine, she appearing so great, that, according to the stories in England, I thought no such Ship could belong to Sallé; But I found myself within a little while, mightily mistaken, for as soon as his Boat was hoist in, he presently fetch'd us up again: We had tried his sailing all ways, but found we could not wrong him any way; so seeing him a stern, and a thing impossible to lose sight of us, I put out a light for him, notwithstanding I was possessed at that time (God knows) with fear enough, but I thought, in the Dark, my seeming confidence and resolution might impose upon him, so as to fancy I was of some force; And truly afterwards he confessed to me, that he thought I had six Guns aboard and that I did intent to fight him.  
He kept a stern of me all night, and in the morning he put out Turkish colours, which I answered with our English; then he came up, and saw I had no boat in sight, for my boat was stowed down betwixt decks, he commanded me therefore to brace to my head-sailes, and then he sent his boat to demand my pass; Aboard he was an ancient Moor, who formerly had been a slave in England and spoke good English, and who was set at liberty by our late Gracious King Charles the 2d. He seeing us in readiness with what arms we had, asked me, if I had a mind to break the Peace, he told me I needed not trouble myself to keep them out of our Vessel, for none of them could be persuaded to come aboard me.  
I brought him my Custom-house-Cocketts, for I had no Pass: The Moor aforesaid carried them to the Captain, but soon after returned, and told me that would not satisfy the Captain, unless the Master himself would come; I made answer that I would not come, that I had done what I was obliged to by the Articles 'twixt England and Algiers: The boat a second time put away for their Ship, and whilst they were hoisting in their boat, I made what sail I could, and was got a mile or more from them again, entertaining better hopes than I was in the night before; But as soon as the boat was in and stowed, the Moors made sail and came up with me again, the Captain ordering to tell me, that if I refused to come a board him, he would come aboard me with his Ship; with that he ranged up my Wether quarter, I immediately put a stays, which put him into some confusion, so that he was forced to put a stays also: He had then no Gun, which I could perceive, I saw his Ports, and his Wast was Man-high: As I came about I run under his stern, then bore away right before the Wind, he soon came up with me, but not one shot passed all this while, he demanded of me why I clapped a stays for to run a thwart his half; I answered that I doubted he was not of Algiers, he swore in English, to me that he was, else before this he would have discovered himself, and withal he told me, that if I did not come aboard, he would strait way sink me, and so he hoist out his boat, in the mean time I boar away, but his boat coming up made me bring to again and brace a back; His boat then came aboard, I asked this Moor, who spoke English, what ship of Algiers this was, he very readily without stammering told me, she was called the Tagerene young Canary Commander, I immediately then went into his boat; so soon as I came aboard, the Captain asked me why I was so hard of belief, My distrust was such than that I prayed the Captain now that he had me aboard in his power, to resolve me whether he were a Sallé-man or not, he swore to me again that he was of Algiers, and that I should not be wronged; He made me sit down, and caused them to set Dates and Figgs before me: A little after the Captain told me that he was made acquainted by his men that they saw two Portugueses aboard my Ship, and that he would have them out, and then I should be gone about my business, I told him I had none such aboard, but he would see them two men, so two men were sent for, after that he told me there were three more and them he must have, well to be short, at last he was suspicious that I was a Portuguese also, and to convince me that I was one, I found my entertainment presently withdrawn? Thus did this faithless Barbarian serve me, until he had wheadled all my men aboard him except two, and then the valiant Moors entered my Vessel with abundance of courage, heaving the two remaining English over the head of the Vessel into the boat.  
Thus were we all Stripped, the Vessel Plundered in a moment, which they did resolve to have sunk, because they were too far at Sea distant from their own coast, but Immediately we saw five sail bearing down upon us, which startled the Moors, putting them into a great fright, obliging them to quit my Vessel with abundance of Beaf and three Boxes of dry goods aboard, which their fear would not give them leisure to rummage for: In some small time the five Vessels discovered us, when they came within two Leagues of us, had they bore down afterwards with that resolution, that they threatened before, the Pirate would never have stood to look them in the face, but alas like distracted fearful game, every of the five Ships took a several course, and being now night they all escaped.  
After that we cruised about thirty Leagues to the West of the Northern Cape, and so to the Burling, but no nearer than Twenty Leagues to the shore, and therefore I imagine there is more safety for small vessels bound that way, to keep the shore as near as is possible, for I know certainly they never attempt to come near, but endeavour as much as they can, to avoid the shore because our Men of War use to careen at Lisbon.  
I am likewise pretty well satisfied for that small time that I was amongst them, (altho' it was too long for my profit) that no Sallé-man will fight a Ship of Ten Guns, which I found true by observation of a Countryman from Bristol, whilst I was aboard: We came up with him and hailed him, and would have had him put out his Boat, but he refused, and withal showed himself ready in his own defence, upon which we were glad to leave him.  
So that to satisfy all my Countrymen who follow my trade I dare confidently affirm, that if I had a Ship of Ten Guns, and it should be my fortune to encounter any of these Sallé-rouges, (who all go under the notion of Algerines, who are now at peace with England) I would encourage him to send his boat, by acquainting him that our Master would come aboard and show his pass, (which is the thing they aim at) And when the boat was come to my side, (any man of reason may judge then whether she were from Sallé or Algiers, but however I would commit nothing should be judged a breach of the Peace, 'twixt England and Algiers) I would heave in a Grappling and secure the men, all save two, whom I would permit to return aboard and bring me a Christian, or else aver my Pass, if they will not do that, I am then satisfied what he is, and think myself obliged to descend myself from Slavery, but this I am very confident of, that he will never stay to dispute the case afterward.  
About a fortnight after I was taken, we met one Samuel Crampton who came from Faro, and whom we soon took without any resistance. The week following we took a small Catch come from Cales, laden with Sherry and Raisies and bound for Limrick, John eliot Master.  
The number of us Christians taken aboard the Three Prizes was Twenty five, besides Twelve which were aboard the Pirate, in all Thirty seven; We who were newly taken were kept in Irons in the Hold.  
After the taking of these Three Vessels the Pirate made all the sail he could for Sallé to save the spring Tide, which flows at Sallé and Mamora S S W about Thirty Leagues: To the Northward of Sallé, we met a Fleming who came from Sallé, and told our Commander that the Englishmen of War were at Tangier then, attending Captain Nicholason, which caused us to bear directly for Sallé and fell in directly with the Castle, where were no Englishmen of War, according to the Advice.  
On the Bar of Sallé there run a great Sea, which obliged us to come to an Anchor near the Bar, where we rid Six hours; then were we poor Christians all let lose from our Iron-shackles, wherein we had been confined for Twenty days preceding: the Captain sent the Boat, as near the Shore to the South of the Bar, as possibly he could, to inquire what News, there they were acquainted that they might safely come in the next high Water: whilst the Boat was gone a Shore, the Moors, we observed, fell all fast a sleep, the Captain also, with his Head over the Rail, upon the half-Deck seemed deeply engaged: This opportunity me thought was very inviting, I made a proposal of it to my fellow Slaves, and undertook to do the Captain's business myself: The Christians were forward enough to comply with the motion, and Eleven of the Twelve, (which were Slaves retained in the Ship before our being taken) they also were willing, if the Twelfth who was Steward in the Ship would have consented, but this sneaking varlet proved recreant, and for fear of him the other Eleven turned also Renegadoes to this Heroic and Christian resolution; I had a mind to have dispatched this troubler of our peace out of the way first, but the fear that his fellow Slaves would have severely resented it, restrained my resolution; the Slaves Name was Will. Robinson, he professed himself a Christian in words, but in deed we found more civility from the Moors than him.  
At Four in the Afternoon, we weighed Anchor, and stood in for the Bar, we struck Twice going over, but without any damage; it was upon the First day of November, after we had helped to moor our Ship, at Night we were all carried ashore, and conveyed to our Lodging, which was an old Stable, but without Litter or Straw, having nothing save the bare dirty Ground for our Bed or Pillow; the next Day we were all carried aboard the Ship to Unrigg her, and get out her Ballast, which we did; about Four in the Afternoon, I was sent for ashore to come to the Governor, who passed his sentence on us Three Masters, that we should go to his House, and there remain, until we were sent for by the King; we remained at his House Ten days, where our daily employment was to Grind the Corn for the use of his Family; at length there came an Order for us, and all the rest of the Christians to be carried to the King, whose Ordinary and then Residence was at Machaness, a place which this present Emperor has set his Fancy upon, and bestows most of his care, and employs all Christian Slaves in Building there; it is distant from Sallé about Seventy Miles, and from Fez Thirty.  
In our Journey thither, I cannot forget our Captains extraordinary civility, in Accommodating us sometimes with Borricoes to ride on, so that in Two days and a half we arrived thither: The First night we were not brought before our great Master, but the following our Captain presented us before him, and withal some Portuguese Plate, which was taken in Mr. Crampton's Vessel; as the Captain gave it into his Hand, the surly Tyrant with a seeming scorn and disdain heaved it against the Wall, which was the first Action I observed, and did a little discover the temper of my new Patron Muley Ishmael Emperor of Morocco and Fez, etc. He ordered us to be sent amongst the rest of our fellow Slaves; as we went we were entertained with the civilities of the place, and welcomed by the joyful acclamations and compliments of the Moors kicking and slapping us all along, which appeared very uncouth to me, who was but a Stranger, but that Night my fellow Captives allayed my wonder, by acquainting me, that what had passed was nothing, it was only a suitable Prologue to all the Tragical sufferings that Christians must endure there whilst they are Slaves, which were so dreadful, that I could willingly, that very Night have ventured my Life to endeavour an escape; they Painted out to me the Tyrannical humour of the Emperor, both towards the Christians and Natives, in such Bloody Colours, viz. how they had seen him Butcher many Thousands with his own hands, how that none can be secure in his presence for that the varying of a look, a small spot in the Garment, or any such inconsiderable circumstance, will raise such a caprice in the Emperor's Noddle, without any other provocation, as to endanger all the Heads before him, and it is very rare if the company escape with One or Two only Beheaded, or Lanced through the Body.  
The Second day after my arrival thither, I saw him Lance Seven and twenty Negroes one after another, and every Day after, until New-years-day, (when he parted to Santa Cruz with his Army) I either saw or heard of his inhuman, but yet, through custom, to him Natural Barbarities, Killing and Dragging, but this latter is a piece of respect observed only to Minions and Favourites, Vice-kings and Alcaids; yea his Women are not able by all their Charms to avoid his Fury, but are more the objects of his implacable rage than any other passion: I have been several times in the West-Indies, and have seen and heard of divers Inhumanities' and cruelties practised there, I have also read in Books, and have heard Learned men discourse of the Sicilian Tyrants and Roman Emperors, but indeed I forget them all, they are not to be named in comparison with this Monster of afric, a composition of Gore and Dust, whom nothing can atone but humane Sacrifices, and to be in whose court it is much more eligible to be his Horse or his Mule, than to be his Privado or Wife of his bosom, from whose greatest kindness my good God ever defend me, for his mercies are cruel: Yea even Hamed Ben Haddu who was his Ambassador here in England Three years ago, altho' he was received and entertained here with extraordinary civilities, and carress'd every where by all the endearments of kindness and respect, and altho' by his fineness and Moorish subtlety, he stole into the Inclinations of the well-meaning and good natured English, so that he obtained the reputation of Ingenuity and candour, Yet the Dog has returned to his Vomit, and by woeful experiment, all my Countrymen, who come under his power, find him a harsh and cruel Master, who managed his affairs here with deep dissimulation, and now improves his knowledge of English affairs, to the detriment and ruin of all the King's Subjects, with whom he has to do; if it be his fortune to meet or pass by any of them, his custom is (as all the English can attest) to salute them with a devilish Curse to the best of my remembrance expressed thus, Alli Haztebuck, i. e. God roast your Father: he is indeed reckoned a great Master in the art of Dissimulation and Flattery, a qualification, which seems very requisite in a Courtier of such a Barbarous Bloody Tyrant as his Master is.  
But to proceed, my fellow Christians in the next place, shown me the staff of their life there, i. e. their Bread, which was of Barley, but black, and withal it stunk, the Corn being kept Seven years under Ground before used, one Days allowance if sold, would yield only Nine Sluices, which amount to Three Farthings; Flesh is cheap, both Mutton and Beef, but Money is scarce, Two pounds and a half of Beef, are ordinarily sold for a Blankil, i. e. Two pence halfpenny, and Two pounds of Mutton at the same rate; good white-Bread is also plentiful, half as cheap as in England; but what is this to the Slaves who havenot a Farthing, and not a bit is allowed us without Money; I am confident there is many a Christian there, who hath not tasted a morsel of Flesh in Five months' time.  
The Country is a pleasant Champion Country, very Fruitful, well Watered, productive of all sorts of Fruit in plenty; we Christians who arrived last, were excused for Two days from Labour, only we were instructed in our deportments to our Negro-Taskmasters, who afterwards gave us severe chastisement for our mistakes and lapses: our Work and Daily Labour was continually Building of Houses and Walls; the Materials and Method is very Foreign and will appear strange to my Countrymen here; there are Boxes of Wood of dimensions according to pleasure, these we fill with Earth powdered and Lime, and Gravel well beat together and tempered with Water, and when full, we remove the Box according to order, and withdraw the Box Planks, and leave this matter to dry, which then will acquire an incredible hardness, and is very lasting, for we have seen Walls of some Hundred years standing as we were informed, and all that time has not been able to do them any prejudice.  
The King himself (what the reason of his humour may be I never had the curiosity to ask him) will sometimes vouchsafe to work in the Lime and Dirt for an hour together, and will bolt out an encouraging word to the Slaves them, viz. as I remember, Liferus, that is, God send you to your own Countries, but I judge, he either does not speak from his Heart, or else he hopes God will not answer the Prayers of such a wicked wretch; with this sort of Labour I made a shift to pass away all the Winter, and indeed without a quibble, I had no other shift or shirt, only the Charity of my fellow Slaves, who were better provided, accommodated me with a covering from the Cold, which else would have endangered my life.  
The Reader, I suppose, will not think it strange, if I was dissatisfied and very weary of my condition, and therefore I did often rummage all my thoughts, for some expedient to ease me of this accursed way, not of Living, but Starving and Dying daily: My mind did often flatter me with the greatest possibility of Liberty by running away, and so confident I was, that I discovered my intentions to several Christians, especially to those of my near acquaintance, who by no means could be induced to hear the difficulties and dangers that attended such a resolution: In the mean time my Friends in England had taken some care for my Ransom, and had given order to Mr Luddington, an English Merchant in Barbary, to endeavour my relief if One hundred and fifty Pounds would effect it, which Sum Mr. Luddington acquainted me, he was ready to disburse, if I could cut, (that is, agree with my Patron for my Ransom) for Six hundred or Seven hundred pieces of Eight: I proffered the said Sum, but it would not be accepted; upon which I looked upon my condition as desperate, my forlorn and languishing state of life without any hopes of Redemption, (which only could support our Spirits in the midst of such great afflictions, and Bondage to those upon whom God and Nature seems to have impressed characters of Slavery to the rest of Mankind) appeared far worse than the terrors of a most cruel Death, I set up then my fixed and unalterable resolution to escape whatever fate attended it, leaving the event to providence; I had more than conjecture, that present Death was to be the reward of my endeavours if I were retaken, for Three Spaniards, who some Two Months before were taken, making their escape, the King caused them to be brought before him, and with his own hands proved their Butcher, and Executioner, which cruel proceed did wholly dishearten the poor Spirited Christians, and banished all such resolutions quite out of their minds: At length I opened my mind to Mr. Baxter (who about a Year and a half before, had made an unlucky attempt to run away, but being brought back he had the Bastinado in such a sort that he could not work for a Twelve Month, having Irons continually upon his Legs) but notwithstanding, such was his love of Christian Liberty, that he freely told me, that he would adventure with any fair opportunity; after I had him thus engaged by his promise, I gave him no rest, until we had pitched upon a Day; we also took into our Cabal and share of our Fortunes, Two Bristol-men, who were ready at an hours warning, when we appointed.  
There are at Machaness at present about Eight hundred Christians of all Nations, Two hundred and sixty whereof are English, several of which have tendered Money for their Ransom, some Seven hundred, some Five hundred pieces of Eight, some more, some less, but the King still put them off with this, that he would clear none particularly, but that they should go all together.  
January the First, The King set forward towards Santa Cruz, with an Army of about Sixty thousand men, designing to quell his Nephew, who had made a formidable Insurrection against him, in that part of his Dominions: We Christians could not Inform ourselves of the certain proceed of these Armies, neither did we much care, fight Dog, fight Bear, but this we learned, that it will be Two or Three years before his return, and it is not to be supposed that any particular Christian will be released until he return; besides, there is no hopes to be laid upon the most solemn word and protestation of this swarthy Infidel Muley Ishmael, for, as I have been informed, about Four or Five years ago, by an agreement with Colonel Kirk, all the English slaves were to be set at liberty at the rate of Two hundred pieces of Eight a head, and the bargain was so far struck, that the Christians were got a Mile out of Town, But the accursed Jews, (the stench and pest of the Nations of the Earth, Malicious to all Mankind and loathsome and abominable wherever they come, who not only have the blood of the Saviour of the World lying upon their heads, but are accountable for the blood of many Thousands of his Members which they daily shed) These wicked Enemies of Christianity, brought back these poor Christians into the house of bondage thus, they prossered the Emperor as much money as the King of England tendered for the Christians Ransom, if so be he would only lend them for a while, to build a City for the Jews, and then they should be restored to the King; The covetous Tyrant soon closed with these advantageous terms, and the Chrians were turned over to the Jews, who employed them Three years in building a City, but when finished, see the just Judgement of God The Jews were turned out, and forced to give place to the Moors: Another remarkable story concerning the Jews I cannot but insert upon this occasion: About Three years ago, Mr. Bowrey of Bristol was, with Twenty sail more, taken by the Sallé-men, Bowrey had a parcel of Soap in his Ship, which then did belong to the King; Ben Haddu Ambassador in England desired to buy this Soap of the King, but a Jew out bid him, and so had the Soap, for which dealing the Ambassador kept a grudge in his mind against the Jews, and was revenged on them, after this manner, whilst I was there. He informed the King that the Jews had imposed upon him and cozened him of Fifty thousand pieces of Eight in the matter of the Soap, upon which the King clapped up Ten of the chief Jews in Prison, until they should either pay the said Sum, or else restore the Soap, which it is to be supposed, hath been fold in Christendom Two years ago.   

An Account of my Escape, Mr. Edmund Baxter, and others from Barbary.  
AFter a serious consideration, finding that no proffers for my redemption would be accepted, I committed the conduct of my proceed to Almighty providence resolving to make an Escape in company of Three more, Edmund Baxter, Anthony bail, and James Ingram.  
On the 29th. of May, agreeing with our Guardian-Moors for a Blankil, (i. e.) 2d. ob. a piece, we had the liberty to be excused from work that day, we went there fore to the Town of Machaness, and having but a small stock of cash about us, viz. nine Blankils, we laid it out in Bread, and two small Bullocks bladders, with a little Burdock to carry Water in.  
About Three of the clock in the Afternoon we began our journey designing to go as far as an Old house, called the King's house, distant about Three miles from Machaness, resolving to conceal ourselves about that house until night, and promising to ourselves the greater security, because we knew some Christians used commonly to work there, but proceeding in our journey, we discovered upon a loaded Horse the Moor who lived at that house, which obliged us to quicken our pace, and keep a head of him, for, if he should come up with us, he would easily discover that we did not belong to the said house, We made haste therefore before him, and coming near the house we discovered about Twenty Moors sitting there; which accident of being hemed in behind and before by these our enemies, put us into a great fright, and had in all likely hood spoiled our design, in the very entrance, if providence had not presented to our view, on one side of the house, a parcel of Lime-kills, to which, without the Moors observation we immediately struck up, where we absconded ourselves by lying flat upon our bellies; about half an hour after came two Moorish women thither, to gather up some lose wood, we considering it very inconvenient to show ourselves fearful, lest we should be taken for Renagadoes, spoke to them, but they returned us no answer, following their business, and taking us, as we judged, either for Moors or Christians employed about the said Lime-kills so we continued there without any further molestation, until night, when we proceeded on our journey, travelling about Eighteen miles that night, we passed by a great many Tents, whence the Dogs came out and barked at us, and the Moors also faugh us, but said nothing, mistaking us for their Countrymen.  
That night we crossed the great River, which runs down to Mamora, about Eighteen mile's distance from Machaness, and about a mile from the bank of the River, we found a convenient bush, where we took up our lodging all the day following, without any disturbance: At night we found ourselves obliged to return to the said River, to furnish us with Water, the littleness of our vessel, which contained not above a Gallon, being a great hindrance in our journey: We continued our progress Twelve miles that night, which proved very tiresome by reason of the weeds and bushes, and the nights were not so long as we wished; just about , we found a convenient bush near to a great Valley, where we reposed ourselves; as soon as the day broke clear, we saw abundance of Cattle grazing in the bottom, with Moors, who looked after them, but, by God's providence, none came near us, so that we lay safe all that day, being the last day of May.  
At night we set forwards, keeping the Woods, where were no Moorish Inhabitants, only wild beasts, the less savage and formidable, which we often saw, but they never attempted to come near us, we travelled about Ten miles that night, and then crossed a River, which supplied us with Water, whereof we were in want; on the other side of the River, we observed the footsteps of a great many Cattle, which rendered the place, as we thought, unsafe for us, we made therefore a little further progress in the morning, to the top of the Hill, where under a large Oak we found a bush convenient for our reception that day, but within a little while we were disturb in our repose, observing the Cattle to come grazing up the Hill, directly to that bush, with Moors at their heels, with all haste therefore we pact up our luggage and ran a mile further, without being discovered, until we came to a Pear tree, furnished with long-grass a round him, there we took up our quarters all that day, being the First of June.  
The night following, we intended to proceed, but it pleased God, to strike me lame with the Gout, so that I was not able to stand, I was forced therefore to remain there all that night, and the day ensuing, which was a great hindrance to my companions, and affliction to myself: The readiest expedient to remedy my distemper, which I could think upon was this, we made a fire in a hole in the ground, and I put my Foot into the hole to draw away the pain, having also a Lancet with us, I endeavoured to breathe a Vein in my Foot, but I could not effect it, for the Lancet would not enter, however, I found some ease by the force of the fire: My company being sensible of the delay, which my distemper occasioned, began to be moved, insomuch that they told me, that if I could not march with them that night, they must hold themselves obliged to take leave of me, which added a great affliction to my sorrow, insomuch as I was the Author and first mover of this escape; That I might not therefore be forsaken by my companions, and in compliance to their importunity, I resolved to strain my outmost power.  
The third of June at night I endeavoured to go, but in great pain, so that we could not proceed above Three miles, when I was forced to pray my Companions to stay but that night, and I did not question, but by God's blessing, to be able to travel with them the next, they consented, and so we took up our lodging for the remainder of that night, under another Pear-tree.  
The fourth of June I kept baking my foot all the day in the Ground, till about two in the Afternoon, in the mean while, I procured Mr. Baxter to make me a wooden Leg, which accordingly he did, I persuaded them, then, to travel about Three or Four miles that afternoon, which would a little ease the labour of the night, they agreed, I travelled about Four miles with that Leg, and then rested till night on the top of a high Hill, whence we saw a great plain valley before us.  
At night we shaped our course clear of the Tents, and travelled over the edge of the plain, about Six miles; We passed by several fields of corn, the Moors in the mean time hallowing to frighten the wild beasts from them: Crossing of a River that night, we saw and heard several Lions, some approached so near that we could almost have touched them, but as soon as we struck fire, which we had prepared for that very purpose, they presently vanished; when the light began to display itself, we took our quarters for the next day, which was June the Fifth; At night we continued our course, when I was still lame, which was a great hindrance to my company, but we were loath to part, our bread also was almost at an end, the consideration whereof obliged me to strain hard to get Eight miles that night: By resting the next day I found myself to be something better, but then to qualify my joy for this, Another companion Anthony bail began to sink and give over.  
June the Sixth, We set onward, and measured Ten miles that night, when we came to a great Swamp, there my pain renewing, I fain would have persuaded them to stay but by no entreaties could persuade them, so resolving to part, we shared our Bread, which came to two half Rusks a piece; I endeavoured to allure my weak wearied Brother to abide with me, comforting him with the expectation of Gardens, where we two more easily than the company of Four, might provide for ourselves; He would not stay; Being pressed thus with the consideration of being lest alone, I Resolved to put forward, when it pleased God, that my foot became perfectly whole and clear of the Gout; That night we travelled over a high barren Hill, where we fancied we heard the Suss and noise of the Sea, which encouraged us to mend our pace until we met with a Garden, where we gathered about a dozen of small Pumpkins, a very comfortable assistance to us, now that our Bread was all spent, for some we eat raw, and some we roasted in the ground, whereby we found ourselves considerably refreshed: That night we made no more than Eight miles, for meeting with a great Oak which was blown down, we thought it inconvenient to overslip such an advantageous retirement for the next day, which we were the more desirous off, because we heard a great many Moors, tho' we could not see them.  
All the next day we lay still and with exceeding contentment we heard the noise of the Sea, at night we put on and came to the shore, where we found whereabout we then were, viz. to the Southward of Mamora, we directed our Course then Northward for Two miles, when we could discern the Castle, but knowing that we could not go to the Northward of the Castle, because the great River goes directly up into the Country, we turned back about a mile, and finding a convenient bush, we rested there all the next day, hearing and seeing a great many Cattle, but none came near us.  
June the Eighth, We gathered about half a Peck of Snails, and caught a Land-Tortois, which we roasted and eat heartily, that day also, we saw a Ship in the Offing, when night was come, we made down towards the Castle, and before we were ware we fell upon a Moor making a fire, which forced us to draw back, the Moor not discerning us, we fetched then a compass, and by another way came down to the Castle, there we found a strong watch, which did wholly discourage our expectations of relief from that place, so we set up our Resolutions for Sallé, about Eighteen or Twenty miles to the Southward, to see what good could be done there, But before we parted with Mamora, we made bold with a little Barley and Guinny corn, growing under the Castle, of each whereof we gathered about a quarter of a Peck, to serve our necessities, and then we betook ourselves to our former night's refuge, the Bush, and after having consulted how to steer our course for Sallé, the result whereof was a long the Seaside, we rested all the next day without disturbance.  
June the Ninth, We travelled along the Seaside, where we saw a great deal of Rast-timber, we concluded therefore, seeing the Ship in the Offing, to make a Raft, which accordingly we did, and put off with it, but it would not swim, boyart with us all, we came therefore a shore, and cut all our Lashing, leaving it to the mercy of the Sea: We travelled Five miles towards Sallé that night, fearing least by staying long thereabout we should be discovered, for our footing and trailing of the Timber had made such an Impression in the sand as if an Hundred men had been there; That night we took up our quarters in a Figtree, about Seven miles short of Sallé where was no Inhabitant.  
June the Tenth at night, we made forward to Sallé, in the Road, we sell upon a parcel of Tents, where though the Dogs were ready to seize us, and the Moors themselves called to us, We made no answer and travelled on, without any farther trouble or danger, until we came to Sallé, as soon as we came thither, we made towards the Gardens, and gathered some Pumkins, and because night was far spent, we retreated about a mile out of Town, to find some place which might secure us from discovery; we pitched upon a Bush in a great Valley, wherein we resolved to enclose ourselves the day following: About Eleven of the clock of that day, we espied a Boy with a Dog keeping of Sheep, but yet not forgetting his game, which was hunting of Partridges; He beat the bush wherein we were lodged, and threw in Stones, and the Dog also did his part, barking and coursing about the bush, buthy miracle as we thought, we were not espied, tho' we discovered abundance of fear amongst ourselves, for if we had been taken notice of, we could not otherwise consult our own safety, than by the death of that poor silly Lad.  
The eleventh day being past, at night we made a descent to the River of Sallé, about a mile above the Town, where we found a Boat, but could not with all our strength launch her: Anthony bail and I who were the only swimmers in our company, made over to the Southside of the River, to see what purchase we could make there, we found indeed Three boats, but they were all aground, so that we could do no good with them; But in searching about the new Ships, (which Five in number are building there) we found two Oars, with which we swum over to our consorts, and all together we went down by the River's side, to the Harbour's mouth, but we could meet with no boat to put our Oars in; We saw two Dutchmen in the River, but they kept a diligent watch, which hindered us from carrying away their boat; We concluded therefore to bury our Oars in the sand at some remarkable place, and so we betook ourselves to find out a sanctuary for the day following; We found a Figtree full of leaves, in an unfrequented place, as we thought, on the North-side of the River, yet within call of the Ships, which then were a building? Under the Covert of this little Tree, tho' surrounded with Enemies and dangers, we resolved to expect the protection of the next day; The Reader may possibly judge this an instance of a Romantic courage, and an effect rather of rash boldness than prudent consideration; Truly, he is in the right, for we ourselves were of the same mind, about the middle of the next day, upon this occasion, a Moor who had newly washed his , directs his course directly to our Tree, and there hangs up his All hage to dry whilst he himself sat down not far off, to lowse himself, an't please you; if providence did hinder him from discerning us, I assure you it was not for want of provocation, as we all confessed, and indeed I never in my life was in such a trembling fit, as that lousy Rascal put me into.  
The Twelfth day of June being past, at night we came down again to the River, to look after a boat, which we had observed was moored in the River, half a mile higher than where we found the Oars, this, we who could swim found and brought to our consorts, We padled her down the River close by the Dutch men, who see us, but said nothing, than we put a shore, and fetched our Oars, we continued paddling, until we had past a Frenchman, lying at the Bars mouth, who plainly see us, but said nothing; So soon as we had left him behind us, we shipped out our Oars, and Rowing right into the Sea, our course by the North-star was West-North-West: when we had Rowed Four Miles or thereabout, we discerned a Ship at Anchor, which obliged us to alter our course, and Row Northward, until we had passed her, fearing lest she might be a Sallè-Ship, and we had learned at Machaness that Two of them were a cruizing at that time, and not yet come in, therefore it was, that in distrust of this Ship, we altered our course; we Rowed about Two Leagues without the Ship, and lay upon our Oars; when Day broke up clear, we see the Ship with her Sails lose, I then acquainted my Consorts, that in my judgement, if the Ship were of Sallé she would make in for the Bar at that time, because the Tide and the Sea breeze were then both favourable, it being High-water at Seven of the Clock, but if she were an English Man of War, as we incessantly wished, than we thought the Sea-breeze would make her stand off to Sea: Notwithstanding our opinions were various, and we were doubtful what to do; at length I persuaded my consorts, with much ado, to row in and make her hull, than the Ship stood off, and at length saw us, we pulled aboard, and found her to be the Lark-Friggot Captain Leighton Commander; after some Examination and Discourse about the Methods and Means of our Escape, I propounded to the Captain a design which had newly taken strong possession of my Fancy, it was this, that if he would accommodate me with his Boat, and those belonging to the other Two Men of War, which were in Company, I would undertake to Pilot them in, and to burn what Ships were then at Mamora; The Captain immediately stood to the Northward, and came up with the other Two Ships, which were the Bonaventure and the Grayhound; The Admiral was then Sick at Cales, so Captain Macdonald being  Captain, we went aboard him, and sending for Mr. Fairborne, who was then Captain under Captain Priestman, who was Sick as abovesaid, they held a Council about those propositions which I had made, at first they seemed unpracticable, by reason of many difficulties, but especially of the Bar, which is worse than that of Sallé; But then when upon Second thoughts they considered the forwardness of Men, who but that very Day had escaped a heavy Slavery, and yet were willing that very Night to engage in the action, they concluded it both possible and feasible, so they entertained with approbation what I had proposed; After which I immediately returned with Captain Leighton aboard the Lark, and communicated the result of the Council with my Comrade Mr. Baxter, who was hearty pleased with what was undertaken, and willing to go along, so he was ordered to go in the Bonaventure's Boat, and was very serviceable, and who was better acquainted with that Bar, than I was. Immediately orders were given to shave some Deal-boards, and saw some Tarr-barrels, and make ready with all expedition; by Seven at Night, all things were in readiness, the Friggots were riding Two Leagues from Shore, orders were given that the Boat in which I was, viz. the Gray-hound's, should go a head, Commanded by Captain Macdonald, who behaved himself indeed with great Courage and Resolution, and the rest had orders to follow us; there were Three Barges in all, and one Yawl, the number of Men concerned in the action, was Forty two, who all had strict charge upon pain of Death, not to seek after Plunder, which was punctually observed. About Eight at Night we put off from the Ships, and betwixt Nine and Ten, we fell a little to the Northward of the Bar, but by Mr. Baxter's assistance, we quickly righted ourselves, and found the Bar; there was a great noise upon the Shore, all thereabout had taken the Alarm, which did nothing discourage us, we proceeded lustily, without any concernment at their hideous outcries, which when the Moors perceived, and that we advanced with undaunted Resolutions, they thought it best to fly betimes and secure themselves and their Castle; in the mean time we pursued our design towards the Ships, aboard which, there being a great many Lights, we observed the Moors looking over the sides of the first we came to, which was the bigger of the Two, they called to us, to keep off, we answered them with about Twenty Granado-shells, which soon drove them overboard; they had not far indeed to escape, for the Castle Wall was within a Boats length of the Ship, so without any difficulty we presently entered; one Moor we found aboard, who was presently cut in pieces, another was shot in the head, endeavouring to escape upon the Cable, we were not long in taking in our Shave and Tarr-barrels, and so set her on fire in several places, she being very apt to receive what we designed, for there were several Barrels of Tar upon the Deck, and she was newly Tarred as if on purpose; whilst we were setting her on fire, we heard a noise of some people in the Hold, we opened the Skuttles, and thereby saved the lives of Four Christians, Three Dutchmen and One French, who told us that the Ship on fire was Admiral and belonged to Aly-Hackum, and the other which we soon after served with the same sauce, had the Name of Plummage Cortibe, which was the very Ship, which in October last took me Captive, I cannot deny that I was possessed with an extraordinary satisfaction to see this Ship on fire, and I could not but admire the wonderful providence of God, to whom alone Vengeance belongeth, in vindicating my cause, and making me an unwitting instrument of revenge, for the injuries I received from the owners of this Vessel.  
Such was the fierceness of the Flames, that we were forced to keep off from the Ships sides, whereby we became obnoxious to the shot of the Moors, who from the Walls of the Castle made a great firing upon us, both of small and great Guns, but with little or no Execution, for our Men, by the light of the great fire having them in perfect view upon the Walls, made smart returns upon them, firing incessantly upon them, and with that eagerness, that they quite neglected their Oars, so that if the Tide had not turned to Ebb, we should have run a great risque, our Men were so full of joy, hooping and hallowing at the sight of so desirable a Bonfire, that they never minded the dangers they might be subject to; we were therefore forced to row the Bonaventure's Yawl, who had lost all her Oars. In all this Action we had but one Man mortally wounded, and two or three more slightly hurt: after we had completed our business, and absolutely destroyed these Ships, we returned out of the River, over the Bar, and pulled aboard the Friggots, Captain Macdonald received us kindly, and gratified us with the entertainment of his Ship very frankly, aboard which we stayed until we came to Cales, there we went ashore, designing a passage for England with the first opportunity; Captain Macdonald gave us Certificates of our service in the late Action, and then Mr. Baxter and I took leave of him; we did not stay long at Cales, before we met with an opportunity for England aboard Captain Atkins, who came from Leghorn and was bound for London, who very willingly granted us passage with him, and gave us civil and welcome entertainment, whom God reward and all other our Benefactors, particularly (tho' to some Readers it may seems immaterial, yet when occasion offers, not to remember, to all good Men will appear unthankful, and I had rather be taxed with impertmence than ungratitude) Mr. Hodges, who bestowed upon us Four pieces of Eight in our necessity, God return his Charity into his own Bosom with blessing and increase, and honest Captain Gutteridge, who sent a Barrel of Beaf and a Hundred weight of Bread, lest we should lie too chargeable upon Captain Atkins in our passage home, who the First day of July 1685. set Sail from Cadiz, and arrived in the Downs the 26th. of that Month.  
Thus have I given a short and plain account of my Captivity and Escape, with the circumstances that attended it, and tho' possibly my Style may appear rough and unpolished, which the courteous Reader I hope will a little excuse, expecting no other from a blunt Seaman, acquainted with nothing so much as Dangers and Storms, yet I do profess I have Penned this Narrative with all the sincerity and truth, that becomes a plaindealing Englishman: My design and aim in all (kind Countryman and courteous Reader) is, to excite with me thy praises to our God the only deliverer, who hath delivered me from a cruel and severe Captivity, and withal to stir up thy grateful resentments, for the happiness, peace and freedom, that thou enjoyest under so excellent and well tempered a Government, but most especially to move thy pity for the afflictions of Joseph, to excite thy compassionate regard to those poor Countrymen now Languishing in misery and Irons, to endeavour their releasement according to thy power, at least by importuning Heaven, that during their Captivity God would support them with his Grace, to bear patiently their afflictions, and to resist all Temptations until in his good appointed time, he vouchsafe them a happy deliverance, Amen.  
FINIS.